I was about to say no, thanks, we're not that kind of married, but his voice had that corporate don't-argue undertone. I got in the car. "Thanks. Appreciate it." He just hummed—barely a sound—already turning the key. We made it to the next block before he added, like it was some offhand comment, "It's no trouble." I glanced over. That chiselled, unreadable side profile gave nothing away. Same as before. From the moment we walked out with that marriage certificate, he hadn't shown a single flicker. No awkward laughs, no nervous tics. Just the same ice-cold poise he probably used to fire underperforming staff. It weirdly helped. The more he treated this marriage like a business transaction, the easier it was to breathe. No romantic pressure. No messy feelin

